CORNYN FILES SUIT AGAINST A FOOD MANUFACTURER FOR OPERATING WITHOUT A LICENSE

AUSTIN - Texas Attorney General John Cornyn today announced the filing of a lawsuit against L'Epicurien, Inc., and Roger Alexandre Buret for operating a food
manufacturing firm without a license, unsanitary conditions, and labeling violations. Roger
Alexandre Buret owns and operates L'Epicurien, a wholesale food establishment located in
Irving. The company manufactures sausages, pates, and pastries, which are sent to major
food distributors and gourmet stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The company also
operates a catering service in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

"Consumers have the right to purchase and consume food products without worrying about
possible contamination. I will continue to fight those companies who disregard health and
safety standards," said Attorney General Cornyn.

L'Epicurien is operating without a food manufacturer's license from the Texas Department of
Health (TDH) despite repeated notifications that doing so is a violation of the Texas Food,
Drug and Cosmetic Act. During inspections, TDH investigators found unsanitary
conditions, such as moldy products and ingredient containers as well as uncovered and
unprotected ingredients near dripping water in a walk-in cooler. Inspectors also observed that
the company did not include "use-by" or expiration dates on its food labels.

In addition, the State alleges that L'Epicurien is not a corporation in good standing with the
Office of the Comptroller because of their failure to pay franchise tax. State law prohibits the
granting of a license to any corporation which is delinquent in paying a tax owed to the State.

The lawsuit was filed, at the request of the Texas Commissioner of Health, in State District
Court in Dallas County and alleges that L'Epicurien, Inc., and its owner, Roger Alexandre
Buret, are operating a food manufacturing firm without a license and have adulterated and
misbranded food in violation of the Texas Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The State is
seeking injunctive relief, civil penalties, and money to cover the costs of the State's
investigation and attorneys fees.

Assistant Attorney General Ken Kirkpatrick, in the Dallas office of the Attorney General's
Consumer Protection Division, is handling this case.